Frans Pourbus the Elder (1545 – 1581),

• Was a Flemish Renaissance painter.
• He is known primarily for his portraits and religious compositions, as well as a few genre scenes.
• He was the son of the prominent Bruges painter and cartographer Pieter Pourbus.
• He was the father of Frans Pourbus the Younger who became an international portraitist of the European ruling class.

• Frans Pourbus was born in Bruges.

• Frans started his training with his father.

• By 1564 the artist was registered as working in the workshop of Frans Floris in Antwerp.

• Frans Floris soon recognised the talent of his new pupil and allowed him to complete his unfinished canvases.

• According to Karel van Mander Pourbus intended to travel to Italy in 1566.

• When he came back to Antwerp he married Suzanna Floris, the niece of his master Frans Floris.

• In the year 1569 Frans Pourbus was registered as a master of the Guild of Saint Luke in Bruges as well as the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp.

• In 1572 Pourbus took on Rochtus Gabrelius da Bresson as a pupil and in 1575 Peeter Cobbe became his pupil.

• In 1572 Pourbus was contacted by the prominent portrait painter Anthonis Mor for assistance in finding apprentices in Antwerp.

• Pourbus' wife died in 1578.

• The artist remarried Anna Mahieu, the daughter of the painter Jan Mahieu.

• He died on 19 September 1581.

• His widow married the painter Hans Jordaens the Elder.

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